When it comes to improving your TV's sound, the Bose Solo Series 2 ($179) and the Sony HT-A8000 ($999) represent two very different approaches to solving the same problem. Let's explore how these soundbars compare and help you decide which one best fits your needs.
TV speakers have gotten worse as displays have gotten thinner - it's simply physics. A soundbar is often the easiest way to dramatically improve your TV audio experience. But the difference between basic and premium soundbars can be huge, both in features and price.
The Bose Solo Series 2, released in 2020, represents a basic 2.0 stereo soundbar setup. This means it has two channels (left and right) with no separate subwoofer. Meanwhile, the Sony HT-A8000, released in 2023, showcases modern soundbar technology with 5.0.2 channels (five horizontal channels, no built-in subwoofer, and two upward-firing speakers for height effects).
The Bose Solo Series 2 delivers clear, balanced sound that's perfect for dialogue-heavy content like news and TV shows. Its stereo separation is good for its size, creating a soundstage (the perceived width and depth of sound) that extends slightly beyond the physical bar. However, it lacks deep bass and can't produce the immersive sound effects that modern movies often feature.
The Sony HT-A8000 is in a different league entirely. Its 11 speaker units create what Sony calls "360 Spatial Sound Mapping" - essentially using acoustic tricks to make sound appear to come from places where there aren't actually speakers. When watching movies with Dolby Atmos (a technology that allows sound to appear to come from above and around you), the difference is dramatic.
In my experience testing both bars, the Bose excels at making dialogue clearer and providing a significant upgrade over TV speakers. However, when watching action movies or playing games, its limitations become apparent. There's no sense of sounds moving around you, and explosive scenes lack impact without a subwoofer.
The Sony, by contrast, creates a convincing bubble of sound. When a helicopter flies overhead in a movie, you actually hear it move from front to back and side to side. Its built-in speakers provide more bass than the Bose, though serious home theater enthusiasts might want to add Sony's optional wireless subwoofer.
The Bose keeps things simple with optical input and Bluetooth. This means it can connect to virtually any TV, but you won't get advanced features like HDMI-CEC (which lets your TV remote control the soundbar).
The Sony offers much more:
While the Bose is limited to basic volume and sound mode adjustments, the Sony includes:
At $179, the Bose represents good value for:
At $999, the Sony justifies its premium price for:
For a dedicated home theater, the Sony HT-A8000 is clearly superior. Its Dolby Atmos support, room calibration, and expandability make it suitable for creating a genuine theater-like experience. The Bose, while competent, wasn't designed for this use case.
In a typical living room, both bars can work well depending on your priorities. The Bose's small size and simple setup make it perfect for casual TV watching. The Sony's additional features and superior sound quality offer more flexibility but require more space and setup consideration.
For gaming, the Sony's HDMI 2.1 features and superior sound positioning make it the clear choice. The Bose can work for casual gaming but won't provide the immersive experience many gamers seek.
Choose the Bose Solo Series 2 if:
Choose the Sony HT-A8000 if:
Remember, both soundbars will significantly improve your TV's audio - they just approach the task differently. The Bose focuses on simplicity and value, while the Sony aims to provide a premium audio experience with all the latest features. Consider your specific needs, room size, and budget when making your choice.
| Bose Solo Series 2 ($179) | Sony HT-A8000 ($999) |
|---|---|
| Channel Configuration - Determines how immersive and room-filling the sound can be | |
| 2.0 (basic stereo) | 5.0.2 (theater-like surround with height) |
| Audio Processing - Affects sound quality and supported movie formats | |
| Basic Dolby Digital | Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, 360 Spatial Sound |
| Connectivity - Important for future-proofing and ease of use | |
| Optical only, Bluetooth | HDMI 2.1, eARC, WiFi, AirPlay, Bluetooth |
| Room Size Suitability - Critical for matching your space | |
| Small to medium rooms (up to 200 sq ft) | Medium to large rooms (up to 500 sq ft) |
| Bass Performance - Important for movies and music impact | |
| Limited built-in bass, no subwoofer option | Better built-in bass, optional wireless subwoofer |
| Extra Features - Consider if worth the premium | |
| Basic remote control, dialogue enhancement | Room calibration, gaming features, voice enhancement, multi-room audio |
| Size - Consider your TV and space constraints | |
| 21.6" x 2.8" x 3.4" (compact) | 43.4" x 2.6" x 4.5" (substantial) |
| Expandability - Important for future upgrades | |
| None | Optional wireless rear speakers and subwoofer |
The Sony HT-A8000 ($999) is significantly better for home theater use due to its Dolby Atmos support, superior surround sound capabilities, and expandability with wireless rear speakers. The Bose Solo Series 2 ($179) is more suited for basic TV audio enhancement.
The Bose Solo Series 2 costs $179, while the Sony HT-A8000 is priced at $999, representing an $820 difference. The price gap reflects their different target markets and capabilities.
Only the Sony HT-A8000 supports Dolby Atmos. The Bose Solo Series 2 is limited to basic Dolby Digital processing and stereo sound.
The Bose Solo Series 2 is ideal for small rooms due to its compact size and simpler audio output. The Sony HT-A8000 might be overkill for very small spaces.
The Bose works as a standalone unit with no expansion options. The Sony can work alone but offers optional wireless rear speakers and subwoofer for a more immersive experience.
The Sony HT-A8000 is significantly better for movies with its superior surround sound, height channels, and better bass response. The Bose Solo Series 2 provides basic stereo sound only.
The Bose uses optical connection only, while the Sony offers HDMI 2.1 with eARC, making it more versatile and future-proof.
Both support Bluetooth, but the Sony HT-A8000 adds WiFi, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect for better quality and more options than the Bose Solo Series 2.
The Bose Solo Series 2 is simpler to set up with just optical and power connections. The Sony HT-A8000 requires more setup but offers room calibration for optimal sound.
The Sony is better for gaming with HDMI 2.1 features and superior sound positioning. The Bose is adequate for casual gaming but lacks advanced gaming features.
Both offer dialogue enhancement, but the Sony HT-A8000 has more advanced voice processing. The Bose Solo Series 2 still provides clear dialogue improvement over TV speakers.
The Sony has superior bass response and can be enhanced with an optional subwoofer. The Bose has limited bass capabilities and no subwoofer option.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: rtings.com - bose.com - bose.com - assets.bose.com - bestbuy.com - youtube.com - pistonheads.com - costco.com - googlenestcommunity.com - youtube.com - discussions.apple.com - consumerreports.org - skybygramophone.com - target.com - rtings.com - bestbuy.com - rubbermonkey.co.nz - shopatsc.com - audioadvice.com - sony.com - sony.com - sony.com - shop.cosmopolitan.com - store.sony.com.my - videoandaudiocenter.com
